OROVILLE — Residents of Oroville aren't the only ones who appreciate all the trees in the city.

Recently, city staff received word that Oroville would again be named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.

It's the 34th year Oroville has been given the honor.

Oroville program specialist Bob Marciniak said the designation is a nice recognition of the city's efforts to keep trees in place, both visually and in keeping the community healthy through the many benefits trees provide.

"It's a nice recognition, especially for a small community," he said.

In order to be named to Tree City USA, the Arbor Day Foundation requires cities to meet four standards: Have a tree board or department, have a tree ordinance, have a community forest program with an annual budget of $2 per capita and have an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The city currently has more than 10,000 trees it inventories, maintains and replaces on a yearly budget of more than $30,000, said Marciniak by phone Thursday.

Oroville staff has to apply to the Foundation every year to be named a Tree City.

The Arbor Foundation then certifies the city and issues an acknowledgement and a special flag.

There is also an educational component to the program. Each year the city participates in planting trees at one of the area schools.

This year, trees will be planted March 13 at Stanford Avenue School.

The Arbor Day Foundation sponsors the program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

The holiday itself was established in 1872 by Sterling Morton, who was the Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland.

Reach Barbara Arrigoni at 533-3136, barrigoni@orovillemr.com, or on Twitter @OMRBarbara.